Duke had his back surgery one week ago, and he's making great progress. Whereas he had 0% function in his back legs prior to surgery, he now has about 50% function! He would like to do a lot more than we are allowing, but his back has to heal properly so he can stay mobile.
Part of the vertebra that was pressing against his spine was removed, leaving an opening there. I asked the vets at UGA how would that work, with no bone in that area. They told us that scar tissue will form in place of the bone, and it's pretty sturdy, once he's healed. Our job is to use due diligence to keep him from jumping up and down on furniture. He's even been trying to jump out of his
As he's started feeling better, he's also been more demanding about wanting to get out of "prison." I do hold him on my lap now and then, but it's best for him to stay in the playpen to support his back without any danger of his jumping down from something.
We'll keep posting on his progress over the next three weeks. His staples will be taken out in another week, then two weeks after that, we return to UGA for a follow-up appointment. At that time, if he's healed sufficiently, he will be released from his prison with guarded exercise times.
Thank you for your prayers and concern!
Dachshunds . . . you gotta love 'em.
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